Emmy Weekend: Friday Night Festivities

So many parties, so many valet tickets to keep track of and desserts to pass up

The Emmy Gran Prix got off with a roar on Friday evening as bizzers zig-zagged around West L.A., Beverly Hills and environs to attend a multitude of fetes celebrating this year’s nominees.

United Talent Agency‘s bash at the Brentwood home of managing director Jay Sures was a first stop for many, thanks in part to its 7:30 p.m. start time. The home’s spacious sunken backyard was lit up with glowing orbs and glittery people.

From the we-think-of-everything department, partygoers were offered a literal hand down the stairs by ushers posted at the top of the stairs, just in case they proved tricky to navigate for those in stiletto heels and such.

Warner Bros.’ CEO Kevin Tsujihara was among the studio heavyweights making the rounds. NBC’s Bob Greenblatt took in a lot of congratulations for the contract extension (through 2017) that had been announced a few hours earlier.

The “Modern Family” gang was out in force, of course, with Steven Levitan, Danny Zuker and Elaine Koamong the UTA attendees. Judd Apatow flew the “Girls” flag.

From the we-think-of-everything-department Part 2, the UTA bash generously made a point of having speedy valet service for partygoers with other stops to make.

From Brentwood, a host of bizzers headed south to Beverly Hills to hit the WME party at the home of partner Richard Weitz (spread out with lots of elbow room and comfort food in his sprawlingbackyard), the CAA bash at Bouchon and theVariety/Women in Film fete,conveniently located right next door at Scarpetta at the Montage hotel. Others headed a little further north to take in the scene at the Paradigm party at the sumptuous Beverly Park home of chairman Sam Gores.

Partygoers on the circuit couldn’t help but giggle at the many stops to make (Moonves and Chen, Greenblatt and Salke were major troupers). There was much doping out of key Emmy races, the wonders of “Breaking Bad” and much discussion of how pilot selling season has been a little weird this year, so far.

Like Greenblatt, USA Network prexy Chris McCumber had a mini receiving line of well-wishers at the WME party patting him on the back for his recent promotion to solo head of the top-rated entertainment cabler.

Overheard at more than one of the agency parties: “I’m doing a lot more in cable these days.”

(Pictured above: NBC’s Jennifer Salke and “Glee’s” Jane Lynch at the Variety/Women in Film party).